No Go

There must be something to be learned from slamming into concrete at 23 miles per hour, but what is it.

Follow up x-rays revealed potential breaks in the scapula and in the clavicle bones. The Doctor was insistent and adamant that I not ride on Saturday. He told me directly that I was not going to ride. A MRI was ordered for the next day that was supposed to reveal for certain the nature of the injuries. He felt that we could get the results back late on Friday. I was bummed.

Well, the nurses and technicians at Clearsky MRI (which was a closed MRI by the way) expedited the data to the radiologist. I called the doctor at 5:00 p.m. and there was no information to be shared. I was down in the dumps Thursday and Friday. By Saturday I begin to realize that my prayers should be that there are no broken bones. That is what people were praying for.

On Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. the Doctor called me at the office and shared good news. I did not have a broken shoulder. My shoulder has a partially separated AC joint and bursitis, which would take 3-4 weeks to recover from and not the 3-6 months for a broken shoulder. I was relieved, but instantly began to regret not know this info on Friday afternoon. I would have ridden. The Doctor again told me that it was better that I not ride and better that I not ride for several weeks. The shoulder needs time to heal.

It is probably better that I did not get to go. I was a bit crazy to ride in 100+ degree weather, 100 miles, with a broken wrist, let alone a separated A C joint. It was good that I did not know the results and good that I took it easy. But I still missed going. Never mind that it was record heat, never mind that they closed the entry to the Century Ride 2 hours early because of medical cases - I still missed it.

What can be learned from hitting concrete?
#1 you don't actually break bones on a bike, but off a bike
#2 people typically do not have Good Samaritan sympathy (see last blog)
#3 nurses are not funny (i.e. the nurse who asked me if it was a stationary bike)
#4 some times God gets our attention and tells us to slow down

I realize that I am not invincible. I realize that I am not God. I realize that I cannot heal bones. I commit my life to God and commit to stop trying to be God at any opportunity. Here are some old words from a song writter with my reworking (Psalms 46:10-11).

Brady, Be still,
and know
that I am God (not you)!
I am exalted
among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth (even when you are on the concrete).

The God of all powers
is with you;
the God of people who lived long be for you
will also be your place of healing.

Bike Hell

All year long I have been looking forward to hell. Actually, I eagerly anticipate being able to say that I have been to hell and back. Every year in August, the city of Wichita Falls, Texas hosts the “Hotter than Hell” Bike Rally. This year I planned to go and do at least 50 miles in the sweltering 100 degree plus weather. My early registration is already processed. I have been riding as often as I can.

However, as I lay in the middle of the road at 5:50 a.m. in the darkness, I wondered if I might miss the ride this year. I had my own little experience of the Samaritan road. I was sitting on the concrete wondering how badly I was hurt.

Here is what happened. I got up at my normal time of 5:30 a.m. and was about 5 miles into my ride. It was still very dark on the streets of Corinth, Texas. Traveling about 23 mph down a small hill, I took a drink from my water bottle. This bottle is one of several I keep frozen in the freezer. When I replaced it in the rack it dropped to the ground. There was no time to react to this ice hazard. I hit the frozen bottle square with my back tire and flipped over the handle bars. My fall was “cushioned” with my right hand, head and left side.

So, there I sat. But I was not alone. Cars drove by slowly. People walked by quickly. Only one woman said anything and it was pretty worthless “Good morning.” Not really I thought to myself. One man even crossed to the other side of the road, passed me by and then crossed back over to my side. Where was the Good Samaritan? I wondered if people really thought I was some early rising thief setting a trap to rob them of their tennis shoes. Oh, well. I took the long way home and as always my wife was my super-Samaritan.

I have received lots of jokes about “falling off my bike. Lines like “do you need some training wheels” have oozed with sympathy. None have topped what the nurse asked before my x-ray, “Were you on a stationary bike?” How old and stupid do I look?

The x-ray indicated that I broke the ulma stylus bone in my wrist. The doctor gave me the option of the normal cast or the “you better not do anything” splint. I took the splint. It could have been much, much worse. I was lucky to be wearing a helmet and to have fallen fairly safely.

My plans are to be at the ride in Wichita Falls. My bike is almost fully repaired and I am ready to take it back out for a real ride. Monday I was back on a stationary bike. I probably should start wearing my helmet inside too, just in case.

Thanks to Rick

Last night I spoke at Richland Hills Church of Christ. It was nice for my family to spend time with Rick Atchley and meet many old and new friends. The Richland Hills church has been doing tremendous outreach and sharing Jesus with their community of North Richland Hills (and the world) for many decades. It was an honor to be asked to share good news with them. Rick paid me quite an undeserved honor by calling me one of the next generation of great preachers. I felt it was undeserved because he had not yet heard me. The encouragement meant a great deal coming from Rick. Thank you Rick. If you want to listen to my first sermon with a broken wrist, then here is the link to the August 9th lesson (Today’s Troubles).

Refreshment

As I have confessed previously, I am a heavy drinker. I really enjoy Dr. Pepper. This week I went to "happy hour" at Sonic when they offer half price drinks.
I was captivated by the little paragraph on the side of the cup.

At Sonic we believe in your individual choice. And in the Spirit of choice we offer you 168,894 possible drink combinations. Think about it. Starting with Orange Vanilla Sprite, you can have a different drink everyday for the next 462 years. How's that for refreshing choices?
- Sonic Cup © 2006

This is a credo, an "I believe" statement. Sonic believes in individual choice. The whole add has a religious, authoritative feel to it. In some ways, it redefines what is refreshing. The choice or the opportunity to choose is refreshing. In Sonic's belief, refreshment is not found in the drink itself, but me having my choice of a drink.

I just wanted a drink. I do not think that the choice is what quenches my thirst. I believe it is the drink that quenches my thirst. A long time ago, a woman came to the equivalent of Sonic. This was long before 'free refills.' There was a man sitting there who was also wanting something to drink. He offered the woman unlimited refills for life from water that really satisfies. She was completely confused. The man's name was Jesus. Jesus offered her and us a different way of living that does not find satisfaction unlimitedted choices or more things to buy or more empty promises. Jesus offers his unlimited presence in your life right now. For people who are willing to follow Jesus, they find the life that realy refresheshes from now into all eternity.